Beatrice Ellen Abbott

Beatrice Ellen (Sanford) Abbott, 98, of Fremont, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026.  She was born on September 2, 1927 at home in Morley, the 11th and youngest child of George and Blanche (Winright) Sanford.  She married Walter Revere Abbott on September 28, 1946 at Newaygo United Methodist Church, and he preceded her in death on September 14, 1997.

Bea had a love for music, and also enjoyed reading jokes and gardening.  She was a member of First Baptist Church in Fremont.

She is survived by her children: Rick (Diane) Abbott of Lehigh Acres, Florida, Sharon (Jack) Hayes of Twin Lake, Ken (Charlotte) Abbott of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Mike (Mary) Abbott of Norton Shores, Kevin (Sue) Abbott of Newaygo, and Jill (Bob) Flanery of Hesperia.

21 grandchildren: DL (Tessa) Fischer, Lucas (Trisha) Abbott, Whitney (Robbie) Pawelek, Joe (Ashvini) Hayes, Jeff (Shay) Hayes, Jon Hayes (Serita Crowley), Lisa (Jason) Snyder, Stephanie Abbott, Chris (Alicia) Abbott, Jamie (Grant) Mitchell, Daniel (Vanessa) Abbott, Desiree Abbott, Melissa Abbott, Carly Abbott, Lindsay (Mike) Ditter, Jenna (Kenny) Brown, Jessica (Thomas) Russell, Joanna (Chris) Scholl, Lisa (Saul) Frazier, Brianna Flanery (Charles Brownell), and Kaleigh (Josh) Gleason.

45 great-grandchildren: Tayden, Alyssa, Abigail, Landon, Lahiri, Rachana, Madhuri,  Faith, Brady, Cailen, Kasey, Arilynn, Jordan, Theodore III, Baylee, Mackenzie, Harrison, Wyatt, Aaron (Kaylee),  Connor, Ariya, Wyatt, Keyaira, Kevin, Simeon (Eleija), Savanna, Andrea, Lauren, Jude, Jaxon, Justice, Brynn, Oliver, Jonathan, Elijah, Makayla, Evalynn, Alayna, Jacob, Isla, Robert, Daniel, Alek, Liam, and Abby.

3  great-great-granddaughters: Vienna, Selene, and Zena; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters: Bill (Lucy) Sanford, Harold Sanford, Iva (Roggow) Winters, Ruby (Umbra) Pierce, Maude (Merle) Ogg, Charles Sanford, Lloyd Sanford, Gladys (Roy) Boerma, Louis (Hilda) Sanford, and Hazel (Theron) Moffatte; and grandchildren: Brian Abbott and Kristin Flanery.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church in Fremont on Saturday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon and time of visiting with the family will immediately follow the service. A private family graveside service was held at White Cloud Cemetery, with her nephew Pastor Clint Abbott officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in Fremont, Newaygo Medical Care Facility, or Hospice of Michigan. You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com.  Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.  

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